Buzz: The Mets are Up to Something

During the opening monologue of his show, which you can listen to at WFAN.com, Mike Francesa said, "I promised you some Mets news, and I will deliver," later in the show.

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I still have no idea what Mike Francesa is talking about when he says he’ll have a ‘major, major update,’ on the Mets, during his show today on WFAN at 1 pm.

That said, in my conversations with people close to the team, I believe they might be getting close to an acquisition or two, and they are 'hoping' to make news at some point soon after the New Year.

Additionally, people close to free-agent OF Jason Bay say he is close to accepting a four-year contract, worth roughly $16.5 million per season, though they’re not being clear with whom he intends to sign.

Of course, those numbers do sound a lot like the contract reportedly offered to him from the Mets. Or, perhaps some other team got in the mix? Though, I can’t believe the Mets would let $250,000 per season get in the way of beating a competing offer, assuming Bay is their primary target. Or, maybe the Mets quietly moved on, and plan to sign someone else? Who knows?

Things you should know about tonight's game...

1) Steven Matz was roughed up for seven runs -- six earned -- on seven hits and two walks while striking out four in 3 1/3 innings. He needed 40 pitches to get through the first when he allowed a three-run homer to Gary Sanchez. Matz was removed after loading the bases and allowing a two-run double to Brett Gardner in the fourth. Sanchez singled home two more runs off Chasen Bradford that were charged to his ledger.

2) Curtis Granderson hit a grand slam in the ninth and Matt Reynolds had an RBI single that drove in the Mets' first run in the seventh.

The Mets' four-game series with the Yankees marked a series of big-league firsts for rookie 1B Dominic Smith: his first Subway Series, his first home run, and his first game at Citi Field. But he'll also remember the series because it was the first time he played a big league game with his childhood idol, Aaron Hicks.

Who is starting tonight for the Mets?

Steven Matz (2-6, 5.54 ERA), who gave up two runs in 5.2 innings against the Phillies during his last start. It was only the second time in his past eight starts that he allowed two runs or fewer in a game...

Meet the MetsCast: Swinging for Stanton

Aug 17 | 3:30PM

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In the latest episode of Meet the MetsCast, Rob Brender, Matt Cerrone, and Steve Hofstetter discuss Sandy Alderson's recent comments on shedding payroll, and whether the money will be reinvested in the team.

Later, the guys ponder the possibility of Giancarlo Stanton becoming a New York Met.

Sandy Alderson says he wasn't told by ownership to cut payroll

New York Mets general manager Sandy Alderson speaks to reporters after the trade deadline before a game against the New York Yankees at Citi Field. (Brad Penner/USA Today Sports Images)

Mets GM Sandy Alderson was not told by ownership to slash payroll during this season, he said Wednesday at Citi Field.

With the team out of contention, Alderson has traded Lucas Duda, Addison Reed, Jay Bruce, and Neil Walker-- all of whom are eligible for free agency after the season -- over the last few weeks, shedding $11.6 million in salary in the process.

However, the Mets did add $2.3 million in salary when they acquired RHP AJ Ramos -- who is expected to be their setup man in 2018 -- from the Marlins last month.

We Ask Mets Fans...Trade Deadline

Aug 17 | 11:45AM

In the latest edition of We Ask Mets Fans presented by StubHub, Mets fans discuss whether they liked the team's deals at the trade deadline.

In the latest edition of We Ask Mets Fans presented by StubHub, Mets fans discuss whether they liked the team's deals at the trade deadline.

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Gimenez, Peterson among Mets on FanGraphs' top-100 prospects list

Aug 17 | 11:21AM

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GEICO SportsNite: David Peterson00:00:18

David Peterson made his professional debut Friday with the Brooklyn Cyclones

The Mets have four players on FanGraphs' newest top-100 prospect list, with SS Amed Rosario at No. 2, 1B Dominic Smith ranked 53rd, SS Andres Gimenez at 75 and the recently drafted LHP David Peterson coming in at No. 81.

Rosario was promoted to the Mets in early August and has hit .240 with five extra-base hits in 50 at-bats through 15 games. Smith, who joined the shortstop this month, collected his first big league homer at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday night. He's 4-for-21 to start his career.

Gimenez has spent all of this season with Class A Columbia, compiling a .275/.345/.347 slash line with two home runs and 24 RBIs in 80 games. MLB Pipeline gives Gimenez grades of for his arm 60 arm and a 55 for fielding on the 20-80 scale. However, ESPN's Keith Law wrote in February that Gimenez was the team's sleeper prospect that has a chance to develop into a strong player.

In situations when a right-handed batter was at the plate, Terry Collins put D'Arnaud at second base, while Cabrera played third, where a ground ball was more likely to be hit. Then, when a left-handed batter stepped to the plate, the two infielders switched positions, again so Cabrera could be at second where he was more likely to get a ground ball.

Taiwan Heritage Day is Sunday, August 20th at Citi Field

Aug 17 | 10:18AM

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The New York Mets and Taiwan Tourism Bureau will host the 13th annual Taiwan Heritage Day on Sunday, August 20 at Citi Field when the Mets host the Miami Marlins at 1:10 p.m.

Pre-game performances start at 11:00 a.m. in the Mets plaza as contemporary Taiwanese music by Liu Sheng Ji will showcase the energy and voice of Taiwan. A traditional Taiwanese folk dance performance called Santaizi will be presented by the New York Hua Lian Tsu Hui Temple. Taiwanese mascot "Oh Bear" will appear and interact with Mr. Met and fans throughout the game and Deputy Director - General of Taiwan Tourism Bureau Wayne Liu will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

Tickets are on sale for the August 20 Taiwan Heritage Day at mets.com/Taiwan, by phone at (718) 507-TIXX, or in person at the Jackie Robinson Rotunda ticket windows.

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Gsellman apologized to Alderson, then struggled against Yanks

Aug 17 | 9:10AM

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Alderson comments on Gsellman00:00:45

Sandy Alderson reacts to Robert Gsellman's recent comments when Gsellman stated that he doesn't care what Alderson says about him.

The Yankees scored three runs in 5 1/3 innings Wednesday night against Robert Gsellman, who threw a wild pitch, walked three batters and gave up four hits, including a 457-foot home run by Aaron Judge that landed in the third deck above left field.

Nevertheless, Mets manager Terry Collins said after the game that Gsellman will get another start next week, most likely at home against the Diamondbacks.

Gsellman was making his return from a hamstring injury to start in place of Seth Lugo, who was put back on the disabled list earlier this week with pain in his pitching shoulder. According to multiple reports, had Lugo not been injured, Gsellman would have remained in Triple-A, where he had been struggling to perform during his rehab assignment.

"I think he ran out of gas," Collins said about Gsellman's start Wednesday. "I thought he was fine. His changeup was outstanding. The ball had good sink."

Mets news, standings, links, and schedule for Thursday, August 17

By Matthew Cerrone | Aug 17 | 6:13AM

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Collins, Gsellman after loss00:05:54

Robert Gsellman says he spoke with Sandy Alderson to clear the air and Terry Collins spoke about the Mets' third straight loss on Wednesday.

The Mets have lost four of their last five games, including the first three games of their four-game set with the Yankees. They are now 12 games under .500 with the ninth-worst record in baseball, 18 games back in the NL East and 11 losses back in the Wild Card race.

What's Next:

The Mets and Yankees close out their four-game series at 7:10 p.m. on Thursday night at Citi Field.

Gsellman apologizes for comments toward Alderson

Aug 16 | 11:25PM

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Following Wednesday's game against the Yankees, RHP Robert Gsellman apologized for his recent comments toward GM Sandy Alderson.

Alderson had expressed displeasure on Wednesday with Gsellman's recent remarks, which were in response to the GM saying Gsellman needed to pitch better before returning to the majors. Gsellman had initially said, "I don't care," but went back on those words after Wednesday's start.

"I definitely need to pitch better," Gsellman told reporters. "I really care, it's my job so I definitely care. I apologized to Sandy for saying that and we talked it out."

Rene Rivera goes deep, but Paul Sewald gives up a decisive two-run double in the 7th in a 5-3 loss at Citi Field.

Aug 16 | 10:32PM

Things you should know about tonight's game...

1) With the game tied at 3-3 in the seventh, the Yankees broke through to take the lead on Didi Gregorius's two-run double against reliever Paul Sewald.

2) In his return from the disabled list, Robert Gsellman allowed three runs on four hits (including a homer to Aaron Judge) and three walks while striking out two in 5 1/3 innings of work. He would not factor into the decision.

Mets have star of their own in Conforto as they welcome Judge, Yanks to Citi Field

Young slugger Aaron Judge makes his Citi Field debut Wednesday night when the Yankees play the Mets, but he will be met by fellow All-Star Michael Conforto, whose star-making 2017 is quickly climbing the list of best Mets seasons ever.

Still just 24 years old, Conforto began his third MLB season looking to put aside the memory of his disappointing sophomore effort -- and he has succeeded in a big way. His .957 OPS is 10th-best in baseball and is the seventh-best season mark in Mets history, alongside such names as Mike Piazza, David Wright, and Darryl Strawberry. He trails Judge's 1.029 mark for 2017, but is rapidly closing the gap -- and hasn't had the luxury of playing in cozy Yankee Stadium, nor the luxury of playing at his natural position.

Once scouted as a 15-to-20 home run bat, Conforto has found his power stroke in a way few Mets his age ever have. With six weeks of baseball left, he has knocked 26 home runs, tying David Wright's 2006 total for fifth-most among Mets under 25. He should easily smash the record of 30, also held by Wright. And Conforto is only getting better as the season heats up, with 12 home runs in the second half...

Why did the Mets trade for Travis Snider?

Aug 16 | 1:30PM

Prior to Tuesday's game, the Mets traded cash considerations to the Rangers for 29-year-old, minor-league OF Travis Snider, who will report to Triple-A Las Vegas.

In 2009, Baseball America ranked Snider the league's sixth-best prospect. However, in 242 sporadic games in four seasons, he hit only .248 with 31 home runs.

The Blue Jays eventually traded him to the Pirates in 2012, where he was mostly a fourth outfielder, after which he signed with the Orioles in 2015. He inked a free agent minor-league deal with the Rangers this past winter.

Snider was batting .294 with nine home runs and an .810 OPS in 100 games at Triple-A before being acquired by the Mets.

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Adam Rubin's Farm Report for Aug. 16

In this week's report, SNY's Adam Rubin checks in on the organization's top minor league performers, with particular focus on RHP Matt Blackham

Aug 16 | 12:35PM

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FirstData Field in Port St. Lucie during March, 2017 (Credit: Cerrone, MetsBlog)

Single-A RHP Matt Blackham recently was recognized as the South Atlantic League's Relief Pitcher of the Month for July. His success certainly has been more rewarding after missing all of last season recovering from procedures to repair a fractured tip of his pitching elbow as well as to reposition the arm's ulnar nerve.

Blackham, a 29th-round pick in 2014 out of Middle Tennessee State, is 4-2 with a 1.62 ERA and four saves in 33 relief appearances with Class A Columbia this season. He has struck out 74 batters and has a 1.04 WHIP and .190 opponent batting average in 50 innings.

"At first I was kind of scared," Blackham said about his return to action. "I was ready to get it over with and get the first game out of the way. It had been two years."

The Ford Five: The most memorable Subway Series moments

The Mets and Yankees played their first regular season series in 1997 at Yankee Stadium as interleague play debuted throughout Major League Baseball.

Since then, there have been tons of memorable moments for the Mets as Queens has battled the Bronx.

Here are the top five...

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Dominic Smith and Amed Rosario team up for homers at Yankee Stadium

Aug 16 | 9:45AM

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Aug 15, 2017; Smith (22) and Rosario (1) run off the field at Yankee Stadium. Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

In front of 46,474 fans at Yankee Stadium, Mets rookies Dominic Smith and Amed Rosario each hit home runs during last night's 5-4 loss to the Yankees.

"Me and Amed, we came up together. He's my little brother," Smith said of the duo. "We just like to see each other do well. We root for each other. We push each other to become better ballplayers. It's just good to be up here with him."

In the seventh inning, Smith, 22, hit a two-run home off Yankees RHP Sonny Gray, who entered the inning pitching a shutout.

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Enter for the Chance to Catch the Mets On the Road in Atlanta

Aug 16 | 10:19AM

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Porsche, Delta Air Lines, and the Mets have teamed up to provide fans the opportunity to win an experience to catch the Mets take on the Braves at their new state-of-the-art stadium, SunTrust Park.

Enter for the chance for you and a guest to win this once in a lifetime trip, including the following:

Roundtrip airfare for two

Hotel accommodations for two for one night

Two tickets to the Mets vs. Braves game on Saturday, September 16th

Access to pre-game batting practice on the field at SunTrust Park

Autographed Mets merchandise

Private experience and lunch at the Porsche Experience Center

Porsche gift bags

Click Here to enter or go to Metsflyballsweeps.com for the chance to win this exclusive experience from Porsche and Delta Air Lines.

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Jacob deGrom battled Yankees, but suffered third loss in four starts

Aug 16 | 9:10AM

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Aug 15, 2017; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Jacob deGrom (48) pitches against the New York Yankees during the first inning at Yankee Stadium. (Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports)

Mets RHP Jacob deGrom allowed five runs on nine hits in seven and 1/3 innings during a 5-4 loss to the Yankees on Tuesday night.

DeGrom (13-6, 3.35 ERA) limited the Yankees to three runs through the first five innings, but fell victim to Gary Sanchez's home run in the sixth, as well as a sacrifice fly in the eighth. He recorded one out in the eighth inning before being replaced by Jerry Blevins.

It was the 29-year-old deGrom's third loss in four starts, despite a 1.82 ERA since June 12...

By Michael Avallone | Aug 15 | 10:09PM

Things you should know about tonight's game...

1) Jacob deGrom allowed five runs on eight hits -- including a pair of homers -- while walking two and striking out four over 7 1/3 innings in the 100th start of his big league career. It was the most runs he's allowed since June 6 when he surrendered eight against the Rangers.

2) Dominic Smith hit the first home run of his Major League career, a two-run shot to left in the seventh inning. Amed Rosario also went deep, slamming a two-run shot to right-center off Aroldis Chapman in the ninth that brought the Mets within a run.

3) Yoenis Cespedes beat out a pair of infield singles and walked in four plate appearances.

Aug 15 | 11:20AM

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New York Mets center fielder Curtis Granderson steps on third base after hitting a two-run home run during the fifth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. (Eric Hartline/USA TODAY Sports)

Mets news, standings, links, and schedule for Tuesday, Aug. 15

By Matthew Cerrone | Aug 15 | 6:30AM

Terry Collins, Hansel Robles, and Rafael Montero discuss the Mets' 4-2 loss to the Yankees on Monday at Yankee Stadium.

The Mets have lost two of their last three games, including last night, 4-2, to the Yankees.

They are back to being 10 games under .500, 11 losses back of the Wild Card, 17 games back in the NL East and on pace to win just 74 games this season.

What's Next

The Mets play again at Yankee Stadium tonight at 7 pm. Jacob deGrom (13-5, 3.21 ERA) starts for Mets against Sonny Gray (6-7, 3.39 ERA), who the Yankees acquired from the A's at this year's non-waiver trade deadline.

The four-game series will move to Citi Field for match ups on Wednesday and Thursday.

Rafael Montero battled the Yankees, impressed Terry Collins

Aug 15 | 9:00AM

Mets RHP Rafael Montero allowed two runs, walked two batters, and struck out six in six innings in his start Monday night at Yankee Stadium.

"I hope it's a big step going forward," manager Terry Collins said. "The fourth inning could have been disaster for us and he hung in there and battled and got out of there with one run and I thought it was a big turnaround for him."

Montero, who entered Monday's game with a 6.49 ERA during his previous five starts, used just 43 pitches through the game's first three innings, during which he faced the minimum nine batters.

"He's got the stuff to pitch here," Collins concluded. "If he locates it and trusts his stuff and throws the ball in the strike zone he's got a chance to get outs and he showed that tonight."

Things you should know about tonight's game...

1) Hansel Robles allowed a tie-breaking home run to Aaron Hicks leading off the eighth inning. Gary Sanchez added a solo blast off Erik Goeddel later in the frame.

2) Rafael Montero pitched six innings and allowed two runs on five hits and two walks with six strikeouts. He escaped a bases-loaded, one-out jam in the fourth when he surrendered only a sacrifce fly. Aaron Judge's 36th home run of the year tied the game, 2-2, in the sixth.

Mets have saved $11+ million from trading key players

Aug 14 | 7:56PM

Sandy Alderson discusses the reasoning behind the Mets' trade of Neil Walker to the Brewers.

The New York Mets saved $3 million by trading infielder Neil Walker to the Milwaukee Brewers and have cut payroll by more than $11.6 million in recent weeks.

As part of Saturday's trade, the Mets agreed to pay the Brewers $1,699,454 on Sept. 30, according to details obtained by The Associated Press. Walker was owed $4,699,454 of his $17.2 million salary at the time of the deal. He can become a free agent after the World Series. >> Read more

Rosario and Smith are looking forward to their first Subway Series

By Matthew Cerrone | Aug 14 | 2:40PM

Mets rookies Amed Rosario and Dominic Smith will get their first taste of New York baseball during the next four days, when they take on the Yankees in the Bronx and Queens.

"The city is torn and split between two teams," Smith said this past weekend, according to the NY Post. "It is going to be a tough series playing a real good team. This pretty much is playing for pride and bragging rights in the city."

Smith, who has just two hits during his first 10 at bats since being promoted last week, was born in Los Angeles, CA, where he grew up a fan of the Angels.